Understanding Low Potential Difference & Current Flow

[nil1996]

If potential difference between two points of wire is very low(as potential drop is very low due to low resistance) then how can there be flow of current in the wire?

 

[NascentOxygen]

If potential difference between two points of wire is very low(as potential drop is very low due to low resistance) then how can there be flow of current in the wire?

Ohm's Law: current = V/R

When V is very small, if R is very small, too, then current can be large,

e.g., 0.001 volts/0.0001 Ohms = 10 amps

 

[Quinzio]

Because it's low but not zero.

 

[Hummel]

If potential difference between two points of wire is very low(as potential drop is very low due to low resistance) then how can there be flow of current in the wire?

Why do you expect no current in the circuit? any reasons?(pardon my rudeness if any)
First of all ,you have to understand what parameters we can control and what we cannot ,assuming a normal dc voltage source (a battery),and a given resistance wire.

->Now you can choose the voltage by choosing your own battery.
->You can choose the resistance by choosing the length ,area and the material of the wire(an engineering issue).
->The current gets fixed as a consequence of Ohm's law.(V/R=I)
let's say the voltage and the resistance you have chosen are some NON-ZERO values.
Then,
V/R = I ≠ 0
There is a non-zero current.
PS:i think you came up with this question by considering two points on a conducting wire.
But i think this explanation will serve the purpose.

 

[sardar]

The flow of current in a wire is dependent on the potential difference between two points. However, it is important to note that current flow is not solely determined by potential difference, but also by the resistance of the wire. In the scenario described, if the potential difference between two points is low, but the resistance of the wire is also low, then there can still be a flow of current.

This can be explained by Ohm's Law, which states that the current flowing through a conductor is directly proportional to the potential difference applied and inversely proportional to the resistance of the conductor. In this case, even though the potential difference is low, the low resistance of the wire allows for a sufficient amount of current to flow.

It is also important to consider the circuit in which the wire is a part of. If the circuit has a high potential difference, but the wire itself has low resistance, then the current will flow through the wire to balance out the potential difference in the circuit.

In conclusion, the potential difference and resistance of a wire are both important factors in determining the flow of current. A low potential difference does not necessarily mean that there will be no current flow if the resistance of the wire is also low.